As Big Mouth wraps up its run with its eighth and final season the show takes its pubescent protagonists into the slightly more complicated world of high school. Across 10 episodes, the series continues its signature exploration of adolescence, tackling themes ranging from driving and cancel culture to sexual inexperience and the daunting prospect of the future, all while emphasizing the enduring power of friendship.
This final season sees the familiar cast navigating new social and personal landscapes. Nick experiences a growth spurt that shifts his dynamic with long-time best friend Andrew, while Andrew grapples with his own premature balding with John Mulaney giving his most Emmy-deserving performance as the character through the entirety of this series’ run. Jessi continues to explore her sexuality and anxieties, and Missy embarks on the challenge of finding her place in high school after being homeschooled but as she continues on her journey that has her reevaluating her past so as to prepare for her future, either the producers or Jenny Slate opted not to broach the fact that the show opted to change voice actors to Ayo Edibiri for arbitrary reasons. Even with the show’s constant fourth wall breaks, this still tends to be a tender area for the comedy series. The tumultuous relationship between Jay and Lola also sees further development.
Adding a new layer to the emotional landscape is the introduction of Compassion, a new anthropomorphic creature voiced by Holly Hunter, who plays a role in guiding the characters through their crises. Another character that I really enjoyed this season, New Andrew voiced by Zach Woods whom we don’t get to spend a lot of time with but I would’ve liked to have had a revisit near the end.
However the balance between heartfelt moments and shock value humor feels occasionally off in this final outing. While the series has always pushed boundaries, some gags in Season 8 are feeling a bit gratuitous rather than essential to the narrative or comedy. The series finale features a meta and self-referential approach which I found to be a less moving conclusion than I thought it was going to be, feeling more subdued than a celebratory send-off.
Ultimately, Big Mouth Season 8 appears to provide a sense of closure for long-time fans like myself, guiding its beloved, if often cringe-inducing, characters through their initial steps into high school and towards an uncertain future. While it may not land every joke or emotional beat perfectly in its final stretch, it remains a show unafraid to tackle the messy, awkward, and often hilarious realities of growing up, solidifying its legacy as a groundbreaking adult animated comedy. For fans who have grown with these characters, the final season offers a farewell that is both sentimental and, in true Big Mouth fashion, undeniably raunchy.